science

Northwest Scientist Discovers Unlikely Father

Sarah Waller — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:05:55 +0000

There are lots of great dads out there. Not all of them are human. Lissa Ongman is an animal scientist who grew up in Woodinville, Wash. She's known two great models of fatherhood in her life. One was her own dad. The other came from a place she never expected.

A Discussion With "Science Friday’s" Ira Flatow

the conversation with ross reynolds — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:37:11 +0000

For those of us without "Dr.” or “Professor” in front of our names, science can be intimidating. But author and public radio host Ira Flatow has spent his career trying to get more people talking and thinking about science. He hosts NPR’s Science Friday, which helps listeners peer into the mind-bending world of scientific discovery.

This week’s episode of Science Friday will be broadcast live from the Pacific Science Center. But first, Flatow stopped by the KUOW studio to talk science with David Hyde.

Pamela Reed's New Play, And Brian Greene On The Cosmos

Weekday — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Art Of Our City
What happens when the liberal-minded daughter of conservative parents decides to write a tell-all memoir? That’s the premise behind “Other Desert Cities,” a new play opening this week at ACT Theatre. Actress Pamela Reed, best known for her role in the television show Parks and Recreation, plays the mother. We’ll ask her about the play and her acting career.

Understanding The Multiverse
If the universe we live in is just one of many other universes, how did we come to be and can we reconcile our own inferiority? Columbia University theoretical physicist Brian Greene has been exploring the world of cosmology for nearly four decades. His research seeks to find answers to questions about time and space, the world we inhabit, and how we can better understand it. In addition to explaining the universe, Greene also penned the children’s book “Icarus at the Edge of Time.” Now "Icarus" is on the stage in a multimedia drama that features an original orchestral score by Philip Glass. We’ll talk with Greene about the staging of his scientific children’s book and about the latest secrets the universe has revealed.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Surviving Mass Extinction And Gardening

Weekday — Tue, 28 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Washington’s 5th Congressional District Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers joins us to talk about transportation priorities following the Skagit River Bridge collapse, federal budget talks, immigration reform and more.

Scatter, Adapt And Remember: How Humans Will Survive A Mass Extinction
Science writer Annalee Newitz’s new book is about hope. Hope that human kind will be able to survive the impending doom that threatens to send us into another mass extinction. Newitz outlines the current scientific discoveries that might help humans survive the next big disaster.

Greendays Gardening Panel
Our panel of gardening experts knows flowers, native plants and vegetables. They join us with garden guidance every Tuesday. Have a question? Send an email to weekday@kuow.org.

I-5 Bridge Collapse, Science News, And The Folklife Festival

Weekday — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

UPDATES: I-5 Skagit River Bridge
We'll get updates from Travis Phelps, WSDOT communications manager, and Larry Ehl, publisher of Transportation Issues Daily and former WSDOT federal relations manager.

Science News
Alan Boyle is science editor for NBC News Digital. From 3-D printed pizzas to the effects of climate change on tornados, he brings us the latest news in the world of science.

Northwest Folklife Festival
The 42nd annual Northwest Folklife Festival kicks off today. What are the can't-miss performances, exhibits and events? We'll get a preview from Folklife's head of programming Debbie Fant. We'll explore the history of organized labor in Washington state with labor archivist Conor Casey. And we'll hear the tunes of Celtic fiddle music duo Brandon Vance and Mark Minkler.

The Tribes And Same-Sex Marriage, Science News, And Beverly Washburn

Weekday — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

The Suquamish Tribe Recognized Same-Sex Marriage In 2011: Will Other Tribes?
In March, a Northern Michigan Indian tribe became the third in the US to recognize same-sex marriage. The Suquamish Tribal Council voted to recognize same-sex marriage in 2011. Other tribes have passed laws against. And the US Supreme Court is expected to issue a landmark marriage ruling this summer. Ron Whitener, executive director at Native American Law Center at the University of Washington, explains how the nation’s 563 recognized tribes are approaching the issue.

What’s New In Science News?
Local virologists are tracking the latest flu in China, and the economics of studying science have led to some new ways to raise money for research. Sally James, Northwest science writer tells us what’s new in science news.

A Conversation With Former Child Star Beverly Washburn
Chances are you’ve seen Beverly Washburn perform, but you didn’t know her name. Have you seen Old Yeller? She was the little girl, Lisbeth. Washburn grew up performing opposite Hollywood greats like Lou Costello and Bing Crosby.

Weekend Weather Forecast
How will the weather be for Mother's Day this Sunday? Nick Bond joins us with a look at the weekend weather.

International Intervention In Syria, Sexual Assault In The Military, And Studying Hormone Levels

Weekday — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

How The World Is Responding To Syria
The US and Russia have agreed to convene an international conference to discuss ways of diplomatically settling the ongoing conflict in Syria. Dr. Steven Cook, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses the implications of this conference and how the international community should be intervening in the crisis.

Sexual Assault In The Military
The Pentagon has released a report on sexual assault in the military. It estimates that 26,000 military members were sexually assaulted in 2012, a large increase from the previous year. The report comes out just as Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Kelly Ayotte argued for a bill that would work to reduce sexual assaults and help victims of the crime. Sen. Patty Murray and KUOW’s Patricia Murphy explain the new bill and the Pentagon's study.

The Effects Of Blast Injuries On Hormone Levels In Veterans
A new study suggests that people with blast injuries are more likely to have irregular hormone levels. The hormone imbalance can lead to PTSD-like symptoms, depression and physical symptoms that raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes. University of Washington professor Charles Wilkinson studied the hormone levels in veterans who had suffered from concussions caused by blast injuries.

Basketball Diplomacy
NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman is using his friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to ask for the release of Kenneth Bae, the Lynnwood man sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for "hostile acts" against the government. Rodman took to Twitter on Tuesday to ask Kim to “do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose.” We talk with Seattle Times editorial writer Thanh Tan, who first urged Rodman via social media to approach his “lifelong friend” on Bae’s behalf.

Inside The Brains Of Animals

Rachel Solomon — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:00:00 +0000

Some animals display very human behaviors: chimps grieve, rats love to be tickled, and moths remember living as caterpillars.

Science journalist Virginia Morell explores the complex minds of animals in her new book, "Animal Wise." From field sites to laboratories, Morell shows how animal cognition research has evolved, and how animals possess traits many feel are unique to humans.

She spoke at the Elliott Bay Book Company on April 8, 2013.

The Marijuana Lab

Jeannie Yandel — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:31:21 +0000

The Washington State Liquor Control Board is working to figure out how to create and regulate a legalized marijuana market. It’s not clear whether regulations will include limits on things like potency or pesticide use, but right now, there are only a couple of places in the state equipped to measure marijuana purity and potency.

Living To 100

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:58:00 +0000

Futurist Sonia Arrison believes the first person to live to 150 years has already been born. What will the rapidly evolving improvements in medicine and life extension mean for us, our society and the earth? What will living longer mean for careers, family and faith?